UECL Tie On The Horizon For Leicester & Rennes

On both sides of the English Channel, Leicester City and Rennes applied the finishing touches to their tactical designs on the eve of Thursday's UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 tie in the East Midlands.

2022-03-09T18:48:00.000Z

On both sides of the English Channel, Leicester City and Rennes applied the finishing touches to their tactical designs on the eve of Thursday's UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 tie in the East Midlands.

2022-03-09T18:48:00.000Z

UECL Tie On The Horizon For Leicester & Rennes

On both sides of the English Channel, Leicester City and Rennes applied the finishing touches to their tactical designs on the eve of Thursday's UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 tie in the East Midlands.

2022-03-09T18:48:00.000Z

UECL Tie On The Horizon For Leicester & Rennes

On both sides of the English Channel, Leicester City and Rennes applied the finishing touches to their tactical designs on the eve of Thursday's UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 tie in the East Midlands.

2022-03-09T18:48:00.000Z

UECL Tie On The Horizon For Leicester & Rennes

On both sides of the English Channel, Leicester City and Rennes applied the finishing touches to their tactical designs on the eve of Thursday's UEFA Europa Conference League Round of 16 tie in the East Midlands.

2022-03-09T18:48:00.000Z

In north Leicestershire, the Foxes were out on the pitches at LCFC Training Ground, as warmth provided by bursting spring sunshine was curbed by a harsh wind beneath The Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha Building. The mood was upbeat but focused as the Club's players bid to reach the quarter-finals.

Leicester were without Jamie Vardy and Wesley Fofana for the morning session in Seagrave, with manager Brendan Rodgers later confirming that both will miss the first leg tie on Filbert Way. Vardy sustained a knee injury in the 1-0 win over Leeds United, while Fofana has tested positive for COVID-19.

Nevertheless, it's a strong Foxes squad which will greet Rennes on Thursday, with James Maddison and James Justin back in contention after hamstring-related issues over recent weeks. Following that training session, some of which was open for visiting media to watch, press conferences came next.

First up, Academy graduate Luke Thomas took to the top table. Still only 20 years of age, the Syston native has lifted the Emirates FA Cup and FA Community Shield at the Club and is currently on 26 appearances for the Foxes this term – four of which have come in UEFA competition.

With journalists now invited to attend in person once again, the spacious media facilities on offer inside the King Power Centre are finally fulfilling their purpose, as Thomas spoke openly about the sense of pride he feels to represent Leicester City on the European stage.

"It’s obviously a very special moment for me," said City's No.33. "Since I came in, I’ve played so many games so far, it’s been great for my family and friends to watch that dream come true for me. I just embrace every moment that I get on the pitch and hopefully there’ll be many more to come."

Rodgers was next to face the questions and it quickly became clear that the Northern Irishman holds Rennes in the highest regard. The Ligue 1 club are the second highest goalscorers in the top tier of French football, and extensively strengthened their squad last summer. They sit fourth in the table.

"They’ve got an experienced coach and they play a really good style of football," the 49-year-old explained. "They’re very progressive and they’ve got dangerous players. Over the course of the two games, we’re going to have to be at the top of our game to get through the tie.

"They’re a very good side. They attack the game well. Collectively, they work very hard. They play somewhat in a 4-3-3 when they have the ball and they press in more of a 4-4-2 structure.

"We’ve looked at many games and obviously, in the European competition, they got through their group stage without losing a game. They’re going very, very well in the league. We’ve been able to analyse them and we can see that they’re a very good side."

Elsewhere, over in France's Brittany region, Bruno Génésio's Rennes squad were experiencing a similar day, ahead of a short flight to the United Kingdom. Les Rouge et Noir finished top of their pool in the Europa Conference League group stage and remain unbeaten in the competition.

Assessing Leicester, Génésio told the media in France: "It's a team that has talent up front with players who are capable, with gestures of class, of making the difference. There is a strong midfield as well. They have talented players who, when the team is down, are able to turn things around.

"This was the case against Leeds, where they were dominated most of the time. They were able to make the difference on two or three actions.

"You will have to be vigilant during the 95 minutes. It's a team that sets a lot of pace like all English teams. Every weekend, it's almost European Cup matches for them. It will be necessary to respond presently in all areas."

It promises to be a fascinating next chapter of Leicester City's 2021/22 European adventure. Tickets for the first leg round of 16 knockout clash with Rennes are now on general sale. To buy, click HERE.

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